Is it worth it to go through insurance? Damaged front bumper

[Leozap]

Hi Guys, I parked my car in front of the CVS and after I came out of the CVS, I found this... My question is that is it worth it to go through insurrance? I am not sure what else is damaged but everything looks and work fine. The bumper seems to align well with the side fenders and the hood.

Would they increase my premium? I never had this type of claim before. I haven't called my insurance or file a police report yet.

[RayC]

Ouch.

Good luck with the repairs.

[formgen99]

Damn, its a hit and run, your insurance wont go up for filing it. Make sure you get a police report though. Hit and runners are scum, had someone do it to me at work too, they should be dragged over gravel and then have salt poured on them.

[WCH]

Sorry to see this. It really is annoying that someone didn't own up to doing this. Let your insurance take care of this - that is why you have it.

[Leozap]

Thanks guys, I will do that.

[JCtx]

It's probably going to be less than your deductible, so why even bother. You only need to buy (if damaged or lost) the headlight washer cover and paint the bumper. Nothing seems damaged, but I'd remove it to make sure. I'd take the bumper alone, and leave your car in the safety of your garage. The great news is you have no damage where bumper meets fenders/hood, so bodyshop can blend the paint without the car. But I have some bad news for you: your front bumper will chip like crazy. I just went thru that crap myself, and after one freaking trip, my car looks like it has 30K miles, with only 4K on the odo. Nothing you can do at this point, unless you want to shell out $2K for an euro painted bumper. By the way, I paid my bodyshop $120 to get the reflectors eliminated the right way; you can do that to at least end up with something positive after all the bad news.

Finally, when I had a similar hit-and-run with a Lexus SC430 (fender was damaged on that one), the estimate was $700. Called my insurance, and told me since it wasn't my fault, and my deductible was $500, to file a claim. I even asked them if they were sure, that for $200 I didn't want to risk increased premiums. Went with it, and guess what happened? Yep, got my renewal $800 higher because I had a claim. My advice is to get in writing how the claim is going to be filed, and that it's not going to affect your rates. But for $200 or less, I wouldn't even bother man. Good luck.

[Leozap]

Holy crap... Thanks for the tips. I think I'll find a shop around here to get a paint job done. I'll take off the bumper this weekend and see if there's any damage.

Like you said, if it's less than $500 then I'll just pay for it. I've been paying for the dents on my car and it costs more than that lol.

Anyone happen to know how much is the RD Sport front bumper? I emailed the vendors but I think they left for the day.

Thanks guys

Originally Posted by elp_jc

It's probably going to be less than your deductible, so why even bother. You only need to buy (if damaged or lost) the headlight washer cover and paint the bumper. Nothing seems damaged, but I'd remove it to make sure. I'd take the bumper alone, and leave your car in the safety of your garage. The great news is you have no damage where bumper meets fenders/hood, so bodyshop can blend the paint without the car. But I have some bad news for you: your front bumper will chip like crazy. I just went thru that crap myself, and after one freaking trip, my car looks like it has 30K miles, with only 4K on the odo. Nothing you can do at this point, unless you want to shell out $2K for an euro painted bumper. By the way, I paid my bodyshop $120 to get the reflectors eliminated the right way; you can do that to at least end up with something positive after all the bad news.

Finally, when I had a similar hit-and-run with a Lexus SC430 (fender was damaged on that one), the estimate was $700. Called my insurance, and told me since it wasn't my fault, and my deductible was $500, to file a claim. I even asked them if they were sure, that for $200 I didn't want to risk increased premiums. Went with it, and guess what happened? Yep, got my renewal $800 higher because I had a claim. My advice is to get in writing how the claim is going to be filed, and that it's not going to affect your rates. But for $200 or less, I wouldn't even bother man. Good luck.

[badfish]

Honestly, looks like a lot of that will buff out...

[Leozap]

Originally Posted by badfish

Honestly, looks like a lot of that will buff out...

[armorrig]

Hey man just get that CFK amuse rep bumper in FRP. I mean if you like that style. However, are you sure that's not just feces smudge? If it's not, that car that hit you probably had sh!t paint.

[M3Bliss]

Originally Posted by badfish

Honestly, looks like a lot of that will buff out...

Hey this may be something to look into. I have a porter cable orbital buffer and I had this kind of thing happen with my old car and honestly it did come out. Now if there are scratches that are dug in that won't be removed but if it is just paint you have a shot. I used an orange cutting pad with Pinnacle Paint Cleansing Lotion and a lot of patience. Worth a try and it won't cost anything. However before you do that probably best to carefully document what damage was done for your company should you decide to go that route so if you are not successful on your own you can get it professionally repaired.

[Cab5er]

Delete your reflectors when you get it fixed

[montreal red]

if your deductible is less than $800 then it may be worth while to claim it. if its more, forget insurance and just get another bumper with your own cash.

it will raise your premiums.

[Dascamel]

Originally Posted by elp_jc

It's probably going to be less than your deductible, so why even bother. You only need to buy (if damaged or lost) the headlight washer cover and paint the bumper. Nothing seems damaged, but I'd remove it to make sure. I'd take the bumper alone, and leave your car in the safety of your garage. The great news is you have no damage where bumper meets fenders/hood, so bodyshop can blend the paint without the car. But I have some bad news for you: your front bumper will chip like crazy. I just went thru that crap myself, and after one freaking trip, my car looks like it has 30K miles, with only 4K on the odo. Nothing you can do at this point, unless you want to shell out $2K for an euro painted bumper. By the way, I paid my bodyshop $120 to get the reflectors eliminated the right way; you can do that to at least end up with something positive after all the bad news.

Finally, when I had a similar hit-and-run with a Lexus SC430 (fender was damaged on that one), the estimate was $700. Called my insurance, and told me since it wasn't my fault, and my deductible was $500, to file a claim. I even asked them if they were sure, that for $200 I didn't want to risk increased premiums. Went with it, and guess what happened? Yep, got my renewal $800 higher because I had a claim. My advice is to get in writing how the claim is going to be filed, and that it's not going to affect your rates. But for $200 or less, I wouldn't even bother man. Good luck.

+1, every bit of information they have on you, can raise your insurance. My cousins an insurance rep, he was saying that even if you have 4 accidents that aren't your fault, your premiums can go up. Adjusters will deem you accident prone. Insurance these days is more and more of a scam.

[Leozap]

Originally Posted by Dascamel

+1, every bit of information they have on you, can raise your insurance. My cousins an insurance rep, he was saying that even if you have 4 accidents that aren't your fault, your premiums can go up. Adjusters will deem you accident prone. Insurance these days is more and more of a scam.

I might as well getting an after market bumper. My deductible is $500. so I don't think this is worth it. Bleh, money out the window again for another mod

[10M3MAN]

Man I hate hit and runs....scumbags of the underworld..I wouldn't go through insurance... doesn't look like it will cost that much...Go luck with your repairs...

[sehrgut]

Can't you go to that CVS and ask them to check their cameras for license plate number if they caught it on tape I mean?

Sucks though.

[ooowowizstev]

Damn that sucks.. GL with the fix.

[RandyB]

Originally Posted by badfish

Honestly, looks like a lot of that will buff out...

Seriously. It looks like a lot of paint transfer to me also. You have nothing to lose. Good luck with the repair.

[quality_sound]

Originally Posted by formgen

Damn, its a hit and run, your insurance wont go up for filing it. Make sure you get a police report though. Hit and runners are scum, had someone do it to me at work too, they should be dragged over gravel and then have salt poured on them.

This.

[Bob MG]

Buy a RD Sport Front bumper and get insurance to pay

[sg///M3]

Check your headlight housing as well. I had a similar incident a while back, but the mounting tabs for my headlight were cracked, too. The headlight unit itself cost ~$1k. GL.